Tractlon-increaser for locomotives



2 Sheets-.-Sheet' 1.

( No Model.)

33.13.3333. TRACTION INOREASER FOR LOCOMOTIVES.-

Patented July 28, 1885.

2 Sheets-Shet 2..

(No Model.)

M. A. DEBS TRACTION INCREASER FOR LOUOMOTIVBS.

Patented July 28, 1885,

Il'wrran STATES MARK A. DEES, OF SORANTON, MISSISSIPPI.

TRACTION-INCREASER FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

EPECIPICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 323,283, dated July 28, 1885.

Application filed November '7, 1834. No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, MARK A. D ms, of Scranton, in the county of Jackson and State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Increasing the Traction of the Driving-IVheels of Locomotive-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention refers to that class of tractlon-lncreasers wherein a portion of the weight of the tender may be thrown upon the drivingwheels of the locomotive. My invention aims to" simplify traction increasers of the description named; and it consists in the devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is aside elevation of the cab end of a locomotive, showing the application of my invention. Fig. 2 1s a rear view of the cab, showingrthe invention applied. Figs. 3 and 4. are modifications hereinafter described.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in the respective figures.

A is a steam, air, or hydraulic cylinder placed under the foot-board or floor of the cab, preferably in the longitudinal center line thereof, and just forward of the couplingcasting. The cylinder, which is preferably intended for steam, is about twelve inches in diameter and has six inches stroke. The short piston-rod B is made of more than ordinary strength. The lower end of the pistonrod in my preferred construction is pivoted to the forward end of an iron lever, G. The lever O is pivoted about midway of its length to a hanger or suspensioirbrace, O, securely attached under the tail-piece of the engine. The rear or free end of the lever 0 passes back under the tender D, and is bent upward, as shown at a. provided with a roller, I), mounted upon an axis running in the line of the longitudinal center of the lever O, said'roller 22 being in contact. with a rubber, or friction plate, 0, attached under the frame-work of the tender near its forward end or adjacent to the coup-- ing. The roller is not essential to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows the piston of the cylinder in its normal positionthat is to say, the piston is near the upper end of the cylinder.

In operation steam or other operating fluid is admitted to the upper part of the cylinder, causing the descent of the piston and the con- The said end of the lever is sequent rise of the free end of the lever 0. Normally, the said end of the lever or its roller is practically free from contact with the tender or the rubber or friction plate attached thereto, or bears loosely thereon. The rise of the said end of the'lever will cause the tender to be partly lifted, throwing a portion of its weight upon the driving-wheels of the 10- comotive.

In Fig. 3 is shown a modification of the invention, consisting of a single lever bent double, so as to engage with the forward end of the tender at two points at opposite sides of its longitudinal center. Each of the free ends of said double lever is provided with a roller, whose axis runs transversely of the longitudinal centerline of the lever.

As a further modification, two cylinders may be used, each having a separate lever, steam to be admitted simultaneously to both cylinders. as shown in Fig. l.

The object of placing the rollers of the bent lever, as also those of the two levers shown in Fig. 4, transversely of the longitudinal center line of the lever or levers is to allow the engine and tender to curve easily.

I disclaim a tractionincreaser in which a cylinder is used with a pair of long levers, one arm of each of which reaches back under the tender midway of the length thereof, and the other arm is adapted to bear upon the box of the drivingwheel. It is my aim to make the lever or levers as short as possible,

or as short as is consistent with effective action.

I also disclaim a horizontal cylinder whose piston-rod attaches to an elbow-lever the free end of which extends under the tender.

Having described my invention, I claim-- In a traction -increaser for locomotives, a vertical cylinder and asuspension-brace, both secured under the floor of the cab, combined with a piston-rod and lever, the lever being directly connected with the piston-rod so as to receive a downward thrust, and the free end of said lever extending under the forward end of the tender to a position adjacent to the coupling, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

MARK A. DEES. [n s.] Witnesses:

WM. L. Bron, O. L. HOTZE. 

